Hussain Sajwani Owner DAMAC Properties

Mr. Hussain Sajwani is a global property developer who is the founder and chairman of DAMAC Properties. Under the leadership of Mr. Sajwani DAMAC was ranked in Forbes 2017 Global 2000 list. He is a native of the UAE and attended the University of Washington and received a bachelor’s degree studying Economics and Industrial Engineering.

He began a catering venture in 1982 that has grown into a market giant that manages over 200 projects serving over 150,000 daily meals across the globe. He also helped to pioneer the Dubai property market expansion and in 2002 started DAMAC Properties. Over the years under DAMAC has developed into an industry leader and is now one of the largest Middle Eastern property development firms.

When asked about how he arrived at the idea to become owner of DAMAC Mr. Sajwani said that his entrepreneurial spirit began when he was a child helping with the family business after school each day. This work ethic continued when he came to the United States to study at the University of Washington. He said that while in Washington he began selling time-share apartments and the proceeds from this venture later on would help to start his own business. He explained that two years after graduating from college and working in the gas industry he realized that he could start his own business. He established a catering business which became a regional success. The catering business allowed Mr. Sajwani to begin investing in small hotels and helped to fund tower developments in Dubai.

Mr. Sajwani, the DAMAC owner, said that his typical day begins with meetings with his management team where he is updated on various business issues and aspects. He stated that another essential part of his day is interacting and meeting with business partners, as well as other members of the business community. He explained that nurturing and expanding networks is crucial to success in his business.

Mr. Sajwani states that imagining Dubai as it could be in 20 years is the inspiration for his ideas and his work ethic is the mechanism to achieving that dream.